The interrelationships woven between children, parents, family and community are central to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s development and sense of identity. However, colonisation has interrupted important connections and relationships between family, community, culture and Land.
Connections are central to any engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. Our Woven Ways introduces practice strategies to support practitioners in building the genuine, trust-based relationships required to have culturally safe, connecting conversations with parents about their worries, strengths and hopes for their children.
Created in partnership with the Menzies School of Health Research and the Aboriginal and Islander Mental Health Initiative (AIMhi), Our Woven Ways encourages non-Indigenous practitioners to challenge the deficit discourse surrounding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parenting and use a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach that focuses on the resources, capacities and resilience of families and communities.
This course demonstrates how practitioners can minimise power imbalances, provide space for reflection, curiosity and deep listening, and centre the child in conversations to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents and caregivers.